In just a few minutes, Derek’s eyes were watering and he was coughing up tea after seeing Harleen’s photo on the screen.


    “Mr Hines, are you okay?” Harper Rodriguez looked at Derek with some surprise.


    Although Harleen was indeed very beautiful, there was no need for such a big reaction.


    Harper secretly despised Derek.


    ‘As someone so high up in thepany, does he really need to have such an immature response to seeing a pretty woman?’ Harper thought to herself.


    “She… she works here?” Derek finally managed topose himself and asked.


    “Yes, Ms Knight just started three days ago,” Harper Rodriguez paused before asking, “Mr Hines, do you know her?”


    Derek felt a chill run down his spine. Before this moment, he had asked Billy if they should arrange for Harleen to work at a subsidiarypany of World Group in Ozin. However, Billy had told him that Harleen didn’t want any special treatment and wanted to find work based on her own abilities, so he hadn’t given it much thought.


    But now here she was, introduced by SunPark Group.


    ‘What are the odds?’ Derek eximed inwardly.


    “How has she been at thepany these past few days? Has she not been mistreated?” Derek asked loudly.


    ‘Thank goodness, I came to this meeting today. Otherwise, if Harleen has suffered any unfair treatment here, Mr Gardner would tear me apart!’ Derek thought to himself.


    “No… not really…” Harper Rodriguez hesitated again. “Who is she, Mr Hines?”


    Based on Derek’s tone, she realized that Harleen must hold a special status.


    “Never mind who she is for now!” Derek responded sharply. “Just remember a few things!”


    “Yes, Mr Hines!” Harper Rodriguez nodded vigorously.


    While Derek was giving instructions to Harper, Harleen received a text message from Ava Jones reading, “Ms Knight, he’s at it again…”


    “What an asshole!” Harleen muttered angrily before quickly walking towards the door.


    Bang!


    Upon arriving at arge office room, Harleen forcefully pushed open the door and saw Ava Jones sitting in one corner of the sofa in panic, while a man around fifty years old sat next to her with hi hands about to grab her hand.


    “How dare you!” Gerald Patton furrowed his brows upon hearing themotion outside and turned his head towards them. “Who are you? Get out!”


    As he spoke, he looked over at her.


    When he saw Harleen, his eyes lit up with amazement. He had yed with so many women, but none couldpare to the beauty in front of him.


    “Ms Knight!” Ava Jones hurried over.


    “Are you the new marketing department manager?” Gerald Patton asked as his eyes kept scanning Harleen.


    “Mr Patton, Ava works in the marketing department, if you have any work arrangements in the future, please find me and I’ll arrange the jobs.”


    Harleen felt ufortable with his gaze.


    “Yo, you’ve been here for only two or three days, and you’ve grown an idea of hierarchy now?”


    “Mr Patton, this isn’t about hierarchy, it’s just normal work procedure. In the future, I don’t want you to bypass me and go directly to my colleagues in the marketing department.”


    “What a high and mighty attitude!” Isabe Martinez’s voice came from inside the office as she walked in and nced at Harleen. “When you were asked to shoulder the responsibility of collecting payments for the marketing department, you said you were new and didn’t know anything about it. And now here you are asking for power. Truly eye-opening!”


    “Ms Martinez,” Harleen frowned again. “I’m talking business with Mr Patton right now, does this have anything to do with the finance department?”


    Isabe Martinez sneered disdainfully and said, “Look at your posture, it seems like your power is greater than Mr Patton’s! You won’t even let me speak!”


    After speaking her mind, she turned her head towards Gerald Patton and coquettishly asked, “Mr Patton, can I not even say a word? Do I not have any right to speak?”


    “Ms Martinez and Ms Jones, you may leave now,” Gerald Patton ignored herments as he narrowed his eyes slightly while addressing Harleen, “I need to talk about some work matters with Ms Knight.”


    “Mr Patton!” Isabe Martinez furrowed her eyebrows slightly. “I…”


    “Didn’t you hear me?” Gerald Patton’s tone turned cold.


    “I have no work to discuss with you, Mr Patton!” Harleen interrupted before Isabe could respond. “When I interviewed for this position, thepany told me that my direct supervisor would be the Director of Marketing for the group. However, since that position is currently vacant, my reporting manager is Ms Rodriguez! If you have any work arrangements, pleasemunicate through your secretary or send an email to me.”


    After speaking, Harleen looked at Ava Jones and said, “In the future, no matter which executive arranges your work, let theme to me first!”


    “Okay, Ms Knight!” Ava Jones nodded in response. As she spoke, a hint of worry shed in her eyes. Based on her understanding of Gerald Patton’s character and behavior patterns so far at thispany, he would surely take his revenge on Harleen.


    Then Harleen and Ava turned around and headed towards the door.


    “Hold on!” Gerald Patton’s face darkened as he looked towards Isabe Martinez next. “Ms Martinez, what should be done when an employee disobeys their leader’s work arrangements or challenges their authority without cause?”


    “The lighter punishment would be a deduction from that month’s performance bonus. Heavier punishment would result in immediate dismissal.” Isabe Martinez replied with renewed confidence in her gaze.


    Her thoughts were just like what Ava Jones had said earlier. Ever since Harleen started working here two days ago, she had been worried about whether or not Gerald Patton would take notice of Harleen, which would ultimately lead to pushing herself out into obscurity. That was thest thing she wanted. Because of her rtionship with Gerald Patton, she had been able to unt power and gain benefits in the past two years at thepany. Gerald Patton had been using her to do some shady business, and after each job, he would give her a cut of the money. In just two years, she had earned more from this than from her regr sry.


    “Very good!” Gerald Patton then turned to Harleen. “I’ll give you onest chance. Sit down now, I have some work for you to do.”


    “Mr Patton, I’m sorry, but if you really have work for me, please let your secretary inform me.” Harleen replied coldly.


    “How dare you!” Gerald Patton shouted in anger. “Do you believe that I can fire you without even going through Ms Rodriguez?”


    “I believe it,” Harleen answered crisply. “But if thepany’s management is so chaotic like this, then it’s better not to do this job!”


    Both sides were speaking loudly and many colleagues gathered around them. After hearing what Harleen said, they secretly gave her a thumbs up.


    “You’re quite something!” Gerald Patton was so angry that he looked towards Isabe Martinez and said, “Notify HR immediately! From now on she is fired!”


    For him personally, although he wanted to keep Harleen in thepany so that he could slowly deal with herter on, she had embarrassed him too much in front of everyone. If he didn’t put an end to it right away, there would be no respect left for him within thepany.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    “Alright!” Isabe Martinez looked at Harleen with a smirk on her face, “You can start packing your things now.”